Some Tips to Extend the Life of Your Tires By Jamie Barrie Regardless of the tread warranty of any tire manufacture there is no set mileage or time that your tires should last and considering that they are what keep your car in contact with the road you want to make sure that you keep an eye on them for wear and or damage. Tire wear depends on a number of factors, some of which you control like, how fast and aggressive you drive and others are completely out of your control such as weather and road conditions, especially in the Spring during pot hole season, which in some areas last all year long. Good tires are essential for your car’s proper functioning and your own safety on the road. These are some tips on how to extend the lifespan of your car or truck’s sneakers, aka tires. M ake sure the T ire P ressure is checked regularly This is a must-do activity at least once a month, others say every fill up. Set a schedule and follow it. Plus, getting ready to head out for summer vacation you should also check tire pressure each time you plan to undertake a longer trip.
wheels aligned. Thanks to many encounters with potholes and curbs, they can get displaced out of their normal, parallel position. If your steering wheel isn’t centered, this is yet another sign your wheels are in urgent need of proper alignment. But you shouldn’t wait until it starts to show. Smaller misalignments can often pass unnoticed, and it’s your tires that will eventually pay the price so it is better to have them checked and make this part of your regular car maintenance that should be done twice a year. It doesn’t cost much, and it saves you money in the long run. A djust your driving style This is one that you do control, driving fast and aggressive on windy roads can be fun, but it doesn’t go hand in hand with your tires’ health and good shape. Fast steering, hard braking, aggres- sive acceleration or hitting curbs are not a good muscle exercise for the tires. These practices force them to undergo even more stress than usual and deteriorate at a faster pace. It’s great if you have a powerful sports car that simply calls for flooring the gas pedal but try not to do it often. Tires like to be treated as gently as possible. Having to face the ground and fight bumps and potholes is trouble enough for them. You don’t have to add to that trouble. At least if you want them to last. R ubber hates sun The hot sun can cause cracks in the tread and sidewalls of your tires. This condition is usually associated with natural decay of the rubber compound because of aging and frequent exposure to heat and sun, whose UV rays are just as bad for your tires as your skin. Store your car in a garage. If you don’t have one, grow a habit of parking it in shady places and you’ll do your tires (and your wallet) a service.
A lot of people do next check their tires and rely on their TPMS dashboard light, which only warns the driver if the pressure is under 75% – which is way too low and can not only damage the tire, but reduce fuel mileage and your ability to maneuver the vehicle in an emergency situation. Age does not make a difference when it comes to tires, even brand new tires will deflate a little every month. All tires are not alike and tire pressure is not uni- versal, so check your car’s owner manual to make sure you are using the correct pressure that is rec- ommended by the car manufacture. If you have changed the rims and tires on your car then make sure you also check on the pressure recommenda- tion on the side wall of the tires themselves. R otate T ires on a R egular B asis It does not matter if your car is front-wheel, rear- wheel, or an all-wheel drive vehicle when it comes to rotating your tires. Yes, the type of drivetrain that your car has will determine the traction, handling, behavior in different weather condi- tions, and many other things but not when you should rotate your tires. Check for wear on all tires on every rotation which should be done every oil change or 8,000 kilome- ters. G et W heel A lignment C hecked If you feel vibration or trembling when steering, or the car drifts to one side, it’s time to get your
We hope that these tips well keep you motoring well this summer and your car between the lines.
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JUNE 2019 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JUNE 2019
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